Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a simple and non-invasive dental procedure that is used to change the color of your natural tooth enamel. Sometimes referred to as bleaching, tooth whitening is one of the best ways to improve the appearance of your smile, which is often a major aesthetic concern for patients.

There are several options available to get your teeth whiter, but the most popular options tend to be home whitening systems. It is important to note that these whitening options will only work to change the color of the natural tooth enamel, so if you have crowns, fillings, and other restorations in your mouth, no change will be noted to these areas. This could potentially lead to a major difference in the shades of white in your smile, so it is recommended that if you wish to whiten your teeth that you replace any older crowns or fillings. These replacements should be done after your teeth have been bleached so that they can match your new whiter smile.

Teeth Whitening Effects

There are a variety of reasons that someone may wish to pursue teeth whitening:

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Teeth that have been stained due to medications

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Teeth that have become yellow or brown due to diet, smoking, or other habits

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Damage due to fluorosis

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Normal wear and damage to the outer layer of the tooth

Teeth whitening won’t be a permanent solution to your discoloration issues. If you continue to expose your teeth to food and drinks that can cause staining, you might see your whitening begin to fade in a month. If you can avoid coffee, tea, and red wine, you may be able to make it a year or more before you need a touch-up.

The Whitening Process

The process of getting started with teeth whitening in our office generally takes two visits. On the first visit, you’ll have molds taken of your teeth so that clear, plastic trays can be fabricated to hold the whitening gel. At your next appointment, the trays will be tested to ensure they fit properly, and if any adjustments are needed, they will be made at this time.

You’ll be provided with care instructions for the trays and teeth before you leave the office. You should wear your trays once per day for between two and six hours depending on the strength of the solution. Dr. Rust generally recommends that you continue this process for two weeks or you wear the tray overnight, depending on how white you want to get your teeth. It is perfectly normal to experience some sensitivity while you are whitening, but this discomfort should end shortly after you stop the process. The end result will be a white, beautiful, and healthy smile.

Opalescence®

The Opalescence® whitening system utilizes gels that contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient, and it will penetrate the enamel of your teeth in order to access the discolored molecules. The oxygen molecules from the whitening agent will react with the molecules that have become discolored in the teeth in order to break apart the bonds that hold them together. The oxygen molecules will then spread to whiten the entire tooth, and you are left with a whiter, brighter smile. There are several Opalescence options available:

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10% - 8 to 10 hours

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15% - 4 to 6 hours

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20% - 2 to 4 hours

Our office also provides in-office whitening for occasions in which you need a whiter smile right away. This procedure, known as chair-side bleaching, only requires a 60 minute visit.